Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated after the Pakistan Army opened fire at multiple Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) for the fourth consecutive day. The Indian Army retaliated swiftly, signaling a hardening stance after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

In a bid to contain the crisis, the US urged both nations to seek a "responsible resolution," while China, siding with Pakistan, backed an "impartial investigation" into the attack. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty in a call with Islamabad's top diplomat.

Meanwhile, India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formally taken over the Pahalgam probe, focusing on evidence against Pakistan-backed groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front. In response to the attacks, New Delhi announced tough punitive measures suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and shutting down the crucial Attari border crossing.